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Famous for its beautiful scenery, color, and ambiance, Provence is a must-visit for every adventurous tourist. Because of its wealth of nature and grand greenery, world-renowned artists like Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh have walked through the lavender fields in search of inspiration.
However, the city is so filled with sights and activities that choosing where to stay in Provence becomes a concern.
Many villas and hotels offer a stay in Province. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach as every tourist has different aims. Therefore, we’ve put down this simple travel guide on where to stay in Provence.
The Luberon Valley
Best Overall
Whether you’re looking to have some adventure, a romantic escape, or sightseeing, the Luberon valley boasts the best place to stay in Provence. It’s where you have the quintessential Provençal lifestyle.
If you’ve seen the movie A Good Year, you’ve caught a glimpse of Gordes, which is arguably the most famous village in the Luberon valley.
Roussilon, Lacoste, Menerbes, and Cadenet are some other villages you wouldn’t regret staying in. Make your base among one of the majestic Provence villas available in any of the villages and from there you can take a ride to experience all the others.
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque
Best for Walking through Lavender
If you’ve always fantasized about walking through thick, magical-looking lavender fields, the Abbaye Notre-Dame is the best place to stay in Provence. Although it’s impressive throughout the year, summertime is when it’s at its peak, as the blossoming purple fields surround the 12th-century monastery.
Whether staying in a hotel or one of the grand Provence villas, don’t miss a trip to the Provence lavender museum.
L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Best for Antiques
Looking for some French antiques in Provence? Come over to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. It’s a place for some antique shopping so you can have French souvenirs to grace your home with or gift friends. Around L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, you’ll find accommodations that offer a stay in Provence so you can have the best of the Easter and mid-August antique fairs.
Verdon Gorge
The Best Place to Stay in Provence for Adventure
Looking for some adventure in Provence? Right in the Verdon Gorge, live the deepest canyon experience in Europe and indulge in watersports like kayaking and rafting.
Many luxury villas and hotels that offer a stay in Provence are located near the Verdon Gorge, so you can be right next to the adventure.
Cassis and Plage de la Grande Mer
Best for Beach Life
Find accommodation that will offer you a stay in Cassis if you wish to enjoy beach life at its peak. However, if you’re up for a walk, this is also the starting point of the Calanques de Cassis, filled with enchanting secluded coves located in the midst of giant stone promontories.
The beachside village of Sainte Croix also doesn’t disappoint as it offers you a rich Mediterranean experience. Marseille separates this beachside from Cassis.
Aix and Marseille
Best Places to Stay in Provence for Families
If you’re spending your vacation with kids, Aix and Marseille are Provence’s best places to stay. With so many things to do with kids in Provence, these two hotspots cater excellently to families.
Your kids would love the Village des Automates, Parc des Labyrinthes Geants, and the castles which await them to explore.
Wrapping up
The Avignon is one of the best places to stay if you’re looking to experience the Provençal culture, while the Aix-en-Provence is the best if you look to be centrally located. Whatever your needs, look for suitable accommodation where you’ll be close to them all.
How beautiful! I never made it to Provence yet but I hope to fix it soon. It’s funny how I managed to skip the most iconic French part exploring others.
It is one of the most beautiful region in France and it’s been on my bucket list for a long time too!
Wow, you had me at Watersports! Dont get me wrong, I am sure Darcee & I would love to walk amoung the Lavendar fields in Abbaye Norte-Dame or go hunting for Antiques in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue but I am an active traveler so hitting up the Verdon Gorge is right up my alley!
Provence is very close to the ocean and so it has a lot of great places to do watersport!
I’ve been in Provence few years ago and I loved it so much! During spring/summer is the right moment to plan the trip. – Paolo
Thanks for the tips and I would love to visit there some day again!
I was really sad that when I previously went to France that it was such a short visit, but I’m excited to visit these places one day.
France is a beautiful country that we can visit many times 🙂